Dirty Water Angers Residents

Off and on the last two years, rusty water has poured out of Jeane Ghinazzi's faucets.

"It's frustrating, it's frustrating to know when we are supposed to drink the water, when we can wash our clothes," Ghinazzi said.

The rusty water problems forced Ghinazzi to replace her water heater, washer and dishwasher. Still, orange water pops up. Rockford's Water Department says they've continually flushed Ghinazzi's area water system, trying to fix a problem they admit is a work in progress.

"It's an ongoing thing. We are working on it but I think we are doing all we can," Water Supervisor Nadine Miller said.

But Ghinazzi says the problem isn't going away and is angry she's paying for water she's afraid to use or drink.

"We go to retail and bring home goods. You go to the store and bring home groceries. You should be able to get water that you pay for and be able to use it," Ghinazzi said.

The Water Department advised Ghinazzi to bring in a city inspector to look over Ghinazzi's inside plumbing, something that the department believes could be the root of the problem.

"Look at her water, make sure everything is running correctly and then proceed from there," Miller said.

It’s a water problem both sides hope can clear up soon.

Ghinazzi has a petition signed in her neighborhood of more than a dozen residents with similar rusty water problems. Rockford's Water Department will continue to flush the affected area water system in the coming months.

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